Move over, Sheldon. The Big Bang Theory may have helped popularize or mainstream “nerd culture,” but Silicon Valley (10
p.m. Sundays, HBO) keeps it real with sharp wit, spot-on tech
references and just a touch of social awkwardness — the makings of any
true geek. And it’s no wonder — co-creator/-writer/-director Mike Judge (Office Space, King of the Hill, Idiocracy, Beavis and Butt-Head)
pulled from his experience as a programmer in the ’80s to deliver a
funny but thoughtful current look at the start-up world without relying
on tired clichés.

Silicon Valley follows a group of
guys — Richard (Thomas Middleditch), Big Head (Josh Brener), Dinesh
(Kumail Nanjiani) and Gilfoyle (Martin Starr) — living in a start-up
incubator owned by laidback dotcom millionaire Erlich (T.J. Miller).
When Richard’s music app Pied Piper turns out to have an incredible
algorithm behind it, the tech company he works for unexpectedly offers
$10 million to buy him out. Meanwhile, billionaire venture capitalist
Peter Gregory (the late Christopher Evan Welch) recognizes the long-term
value and offers a smaller but sizable investment for a stake in the
company, which Richard ends up accepting. Now the guys must adjust to
the entrepreneurial life: working under tighter constrictions, producing
a business plan (even if that means Googling “business plan”) and, this
week, dealing with competition.

You can’t make a show about uber-intellectuals without smart humor, writing and style. At the same time, Silicon Valleydoes anything but take itself too seriously, delivering consistent laughs and an interesting look at this burgeoning subculture.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16

Workaholics (Season Finale,
10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Adam, Blake and Ders celebrate their
friendship anniversary, but a big fight threatens to make it their last.

THURSDAY APRIL 17

Parks and Recreation (8:30 p.m., NBC) – After hiding one of Amy Poehler’s actual pregnancies on Parks and Rec,
Leslie Knope is expecting! She and Ben attempt to keep the exciting
secret under wraps.

Parenthood (Season Finale, 10 p.m., NBC) – Hey guys, remember Kristina and Adam’s other daughter
who was at one time a very significant character? Haddie’s back, y’all,
because not all Braverman kids flake out on college (cough, cough,
Drew). We also meet Ryan’s mom and see if Sarah and Hank give it another
shot.

Hannibal (10 p.m., NBC) -–
Dr. Lecter agrees to treat Will as a patient again, because two ulterior
motives make a right? Unlike Alanna’s experience with Will, her fling
with Hannibal is unfortunately more than a one-night-stand. She really
knows how to pick ’em — into murder and mentally off the rails! Will’s
also back in the field to work on a case involving a dead woman inside a
horse.

SUNDAY APRIL 20

Game of Thrones (9 p.m.,
HBO) – Another season, another epic wedding scene. Margaery and
Joffrey’s post-nuptial bash turned into a murder mystery party — who is
responsible for the most satisfying death of the series? And will Ramsay
step in as the new most despicable villain?

Mad Men (10 p.m., AMC) –
Giving Megan space, turning down an anonymous hookup with a hot brunette
(OMG Neve Campbell) and now cutting back on booze — who are you and
what have you done with Don Draper? This week more drama unfolds on both
coasts; Joan and Peggy each experience a surprise encounter.

MONDAY APRIL 21

The Boondocks (Season
Premiere, 10:30 p.m., Adult Swim) – Riley, Huey and Robert Freeman are
back for a fourth and final season of this comic-turned-cartoon after
four years off the air, this time without comic and series creator Aaron
McGruder. Look out for McGruder’s new live-action series Black Jesus, also premiering on Adult Swim later this year.

TUESDAY APRIL 22

The Mindy Project (9:30
p.m., Fox) – Mindy gives birth control pills to the daughter of a police
officer (a big no-no) and a rabbi recommends the practice to his
congregation because he thinks Danny is Jewish (another big no-no). This
sounds like the start of a really bad joke: “A cop and a rabbi walk
into an OB-GYN office…”